How To: Install a Drywall Anchor

So you bought a new towel rack—or some shelving brackets, or a paper towel holder—and you want to attach it to the wall. And you want that rack, bracket, or holder to do its job. You want it not to rip down under the weight of a towel or another non-heavy item. There are a variety of options for securing a rack (or what have you) to the wall. One of the most popular ways is to use an easy-to-install drywall anchor.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to installing one:

Photo: Pete Fazio

Since the anchor really is just meant for drywall, you only need to use a screwdriver and apply moderate pressure while the anchor self-drills.

Photo: Pete Fazio

When the wide threads start to grab on, make sure you keep applying pressure so the anchor doesn’t simply spin in the hole and dig out the drywall.

Photo: Pete Fazio

Screw it in until the lip is flush with the wall.

Photo: Pete Fazio

Once again, make sure you first put the screw through the hole of the thing you’re attaching to the wall.

No, I'm not attaching a bracket to the wall, it's just a substitute to show that you have to feed it through your widget first. Photo: Pete Fazio

And here’s what it looks like behind your wall. The wide threads help the anchor grab on, and, when the screw goes in, it pops the barbs out for added power.